Palm Harbor man turns himself in following hit-and-run

A 23-year-old Palm Harbor man was injured on the evening of Feb. 15 when the motorcycle he was riding collided with a 1993 Nissan Sentra. According to Florida Highway Patrol, the man was driving westbound on Tampa Road when the driver of the eastbound Sentra attempted a left turn onto Katherine Boulevard. The car and the motorcycle connected, and the driver of the Sentra then left the scene without stopping.

The driver, a 52-year-old Palm Harbor man, has been charged with failure to yield and failure to stop after being involved in a collision. Police report that the man later called 911 to report that he had left the scene of the motorcycle accident because he was afraid, but they did not elaborate. A police officer traveled to the man’s home and arrested him after he admitted in person to his role in the hit-and-run. He is being held in Pinellas County Jail on the charges.

The motorcycle driver was taken to Mease Countryside Hospital on the evening of the crash. The extent of his injuries is unknown.

The law stipulates that any motorist who is making a left turn must yield to oncoming traffic. The fact that an accident occurred may be considered as evidence that the driver did not use reasonable caution in executing the turn. If a driver is not reasonably prudent when operating a motor vehicle, any person who is injured in an ensuing accident may be entitled to receive compensation for damages. Victims of motorcycle accidents may be able to recover for any damage to their vehicle, medical bills, pain and suffering and any lost wages with the help of an experienced personal injury attorney.